Update: Dec. 5
We got the Foes 275 out on the trails yesterday for the first time. The bike weighed in at 33 lbs with the Spank pedals so it’s no svelte xc ballerina. But the pedaling platform worked well and it had a good climbing position with short 17.1 inch stays. The head angle 67 degrees is a bit slack and one needs to pay attention on the 18 consecutive switchbacks of Finch trail in Waterdog Park, CA. And when climbing on rough terrain, one has to be aware that the bike is low to the ground and position the pedals so they don’t smack on to trail obstacles. It’s not really a problem here in Northern CA, but it is a bigger issue in other parts of the country with more trail obstacles.

The Crank Brothers Kronolog post worked well but with the 5 inch drop and 2 inch mechanism, we couldn’t drop the post low enough to our desired height when fully extended. Shims have to be inserted inside the post to limit the travel of the post.

After the brakes bedded in, we started letting the bike rip on the downhills. This is a bike that’s very easy to ride fast downhill. The short 17.1 inch stays worked in concert with the low 13.1 inch bb to deliver a bike that was low to the ground and easy to carve in and out of corners. We tried to find the rough lines on the trail but they were not much of a match for the 160 mm travel, 34 mm stanchion fork. The 67 degree head angle is slack and it really wasn’t challenged by the descents we were able to throw at it. Let’s just say we’re going to dig deep to find some SF Bay Area trails that will showcase the full capabilities of this bike.

The Nevegal tires on the Azonic wheels worked well. We’ll throw in some tubeless Schwalbes later. But first impression on this bike was excellent. We took it down the 18 switchbacks twice as it was fun to throw this bike around and whip it around all those bermed switchbacks.

francois@mtbr

Great first session and we look forward to many more with this Foes.

We just received the all new Foes Racing F275 trail bike in for testing. Like other US companies, Foes is going with the 27.5 moniker vs. the metric 650b name. This is the first 27.5 bike for Foes and they use the monocoque aluminum frame that they are well known for. The F275 was designed completely new from the ground up. Called their “Ultra Trail Design”, the F275 features 5.5″ or 6″ of adjustable rear travel based on the shock position. The rear suspension design utilizes Foe’s Progressive Linkage System with a 2.3: 1 leverage ratio (same as their FXR and Shaver models). The downtube is massive and is hydroformed double butted 6061 alloy. It is available with either a FOX Float CTD adjustable Kashima shock or a Cane Creek Double Barrel AIR shock. It comes in 3 sizes (SM, MD, LG) and is available in an amazing 23 color choices! (shown here in Cream Soda Blue)

Other frame highlights include: tapered head tube1-1/8ZS , 1.5EX, full complement double sealed pivot bearings, 68mm BB/shell with 12mm X 142mm rear hub spacing, 12mm thru axle with hanger nut combo and replaceable ISCG05 mounting plate. Our unit also came with an extra derailleur hanger.

Our test rig came spec’ed with: Fox 34 Float CTD w/ Kashima Coat, Fox Float CTD rear shock w/Kashima Coat, SRAM X9 2×10 drivetrain with XO front derailleur and X9 rear derailleur, Hayes Stroker Trail brakes, Azonic Outlaw wheels/hubs, Truvativ X9 cranks, Thomson shorty stem, ODI bars, WTB Silverado saddle, Kenda 27.5 Nevegals and the Crank Brothers kronolog dropper post is a nice touch.

Claimed frame and shock weight is 6.8 lbs for small frame with the Fox shock. Our in-house scale recorded a respectable 31.79 lbs as the complete weight for this medium size F275. Pricing for the F275 frame and shock are:

• F275 frame with FOX Float CTD adjustable Kashima shock – $2399
• F275 frame with Cane Creek Double Barrel AIR shock – $2649

Availability is just starting right now.

We built this bike just yesterday so we have not had a chance to ride it, but the bike is beautiful. Foes has been working with aluminum since their start in 1993 and the welds on the monocoque frame are awesome. The rear suspension design looks solid and the linkage is nice and beefy, we don’t expect lateral flex to be a problem. Even the cable routing is super clean, without the normal excess below the BB that other designs end up with. Tire clearance is ample even with the meaty 2.35 Nevegals. Best of all, Foes is still hand crafted, designed and made here in the USA!

We will be doing an in-depth write-up on the Foes F275 and comparing it to other 650b/27.5 bikes, but for now, here are a few pix.

For more info: foesracing.com

This is just one of many 650b/27.5 bikes for our Round Up. The complete list of bike we’re testing is available here:
http://reviews.mtbr.com/650b-bike